A WITNESS to a fatal car crash that killed a devoted dad, has described the “surreal” moments before he died.

Giving evidence at the re-opened inquest on Wednesday (July 28), Rita Murray was travelling behind 32-year-old Neil Herbert when his car swerved off the road and hit a lamppost.

Rita said: “I was just driving along, and it all became quite surreal because the car actually snaked along the road.

“I saw absolutely nothing else in the road. It just looked to me like he lost control of the vehicle.

“It was surreal. It seemed like there was no reason why it happened.”

Mr Herbert died when his Ford Fiesta hit a lamppost on Rainford Road, Bickerstaffe, on the morning of Monday, February 22.

He was taken to Whiston Hospital but died a short time later.

Deputy coroner Simon Jones recorded an accidental death.

Originally from Liverpool, Neil spent most of his formative years in Tithebarn Road, Southport.

He went to Holy Family and Christ the King Schools and had been involved with the 58th Southport (Holy Family) cubs and scouts since he was eight.

For the last 10 years Neil had been cubs leader, continuing his association with the group even after moving to Lydiate when he got married to wife Aimee about three years ago. The couple had a young daughter.

The inquest saw evidence from two witnesses, the doctor who carried out the post mortem examination and Sergeant David Horsfield, from the Accident and Investigations Unit.

Sergeant Horsfield said: “Nothing was wrong with the vehicle. “There is nothing to suggest excessive speed. He was wearing his seatbelt at the time, and his mobile phone was not in use.”

Pathologist Doctor Sharma, who carried out the post mortem examination said in his written report: “He died of injuries consistent with a road traffic collision. No alcohol and no drugs were detected.”

The coroner said: “The loss of control was in all probabilities to do with the road conditions and the ice.”

Paying tribute after the accident, Martin Braithwhaite, Holy Family Church group scout leader, said: “Neil was one of those characters who was always cheerful and always kept you going.”